Door and Window Repair in Boston, MA

Give the contractor a specific repair brief

Describe what you experience: a door catches at the threshold, a latch will not engage, a window will not stay open, glass has cracked, or water appears around an opening. Include photographs from inside and outside, the floor level, and any manufacturer labels you can find. Keep children and pets away from damaged glass while you arrange an assessment.

Ask the contractor to explain the cause they suspect and the checks they will perform before recommending replacement. Request separate options where appropriate: adjustment or hardware work, repair to the existing assembly, and replacement. For each option, ask what remains in place, what the contractor removes, and how they will address any surrounding damage they uncover.

Compare written scopes before comparing totals. Ask each contractor to identify materials, finish work, disposal, access arrangements, and any return visit. Require written authorization for additional work so you can decide how to proceed if the contractor discovers damage after opening the assembly.

Confirm the permit before setting the work date

Boston describes its Short-Form Permit as covering minor alterations that do not change a building's structure or use. The City says you may need one for repairs, replacements, minor alterations, or opening a wall. It assigns major alterations that change structure or use to the Long-Form permit route. Contact Inspectional Services at 617-635-5300 with your proposed scope if you are unsure. [2]

Ask the contractor to name the permit applicant and include permitting responsibilities in the agreement. Boston lists a signed homeowner contract, current liability insurance, and a workers' compensation affidavit among contractor application documents. Its published Short-Form fee is $20 plus $10 per $1,000 of estimated work cost. Treat that as a permit fee, separate from the repair quote. [2]

Boston tells applicants to wait for the issued permit before beginning work. Review timing depends on planning and zoning review, additional information, and other required approvals. Avoid committing to an installation date until the applicant confirms those requirements. After permitted work finishes, arrange the required inspection and verify that the City has closed the application. [2]

Check historic status before ordering replacements

Check the property's historic status before agreeing to a replacement design. The Boston Landmarks Commission reviews proposed changes to individually landmarked properties, including window replacements, general repairs, and painting. It treats window replacement as an exterior change even when you arrange the work from inside the home. [1]

For an individually landmarked property, consult the study report's design standards and ask the contractor to describe the proposed materials and appearance. The Commission says it must approve changes at a public hearing before work starts. After approval, use its decision letter to obtain the building permit. Boston's permit guidance also identifies Landmarks approval as a possible requirement for projects in historic districts. [1] [2]

Build the approval process into your agreement. Ask who will prepare photographs and application information, who will respond to requested revisions, and when you can authorize ordering. The Commission holds design review hearings once per month and requires complete applications at least 15 business days before the hearing date for agenda placement. Do not assume those deadlines guarantee approval. [1]

Plan access, weather protection, and the final check

Before the visit, clear the work area and agree on access to both sides of the opening. Tell the contractor about furniture, alarms, pets, and any building rules. Ask how they will secure an opening during the work, what happens if weather interrupts the repair, and who will protect interior finishes.

The National Weather Service's January 2026 Boston report records 26 days with minimum temperatures at or below freezing, compared with a 1991–2020 January normal of 24.8 days. Use this winter context to ask about temporary closure and scheduling when the contractor expects to remove a window or exterior door. The figures do not predict conditions on your work date. [3]

Before accepting completion, operate the repaired door or window with the contractor present. Check the agreed latch, lock, opening movement, and finish work. Ask for care instructions and written warranty terms, and keep photographs of the completed repair with the invoice and any permit records.

Boston January days with freezing minimum temperatures

Choose the next step for your repair

Your hiring checklist

1. Photograph the affected opening and describe the problem, floor level, and access.
2. Request a written explanation of the proposed repair and any replacement alternative.
3. Confirm the permit route and name the applicant in the agreement.
4. Check historic status and resolve required design approval before ordering.
5. Ask the applicant to flag any missing occupancy record or external approval.
6. Agree on weather protection, additional-work authorization, and finish repairs.
7. Operate the completed repair with the contractor and retain warranty and permit records.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a small window repair need a permit?

Boston says minor repairs and replacements may need a Short-Form Permit. Give Inspectional Services the exact scope, including whether you will open a wall or change the structure. Ask the City to confirm the route before work starts. [2]

Can I apply for the permit for my condo?

Boston's Short-Form guidance limits its homeowner doing-the-work route to owner-occupied one- or two-family homes. For a condo in a building with three or more dwellings, the City says you must hire a contractor to perform the work. [2]

Can I replace a landmarked home's windows before approval?

The Boston Landmarks Commission includes window replacements in design review and says it must approve changes at a public hearing before work starts. Consult the property's study-report guidelines before committing to materials or appearance. [1]

How should I compare repair prices?

Give contractors the same photographs and problem description. Compare the materials, retained components, finish repairs, access, disposal, permit responsibilities, and warranty terms in each written scope. Ask each contractor to explain exclusions and how they will price additional work.